Para além dos números: Reflexões sobre sub-representatividade das mulheres nas áreas de ciência, tecnologia, engenharia e matemática

Abstract

Female education in Brazil has been increasing, especially in higher education, where female participation rose from 40% in 1971 to 56% in 2019. Despite this progress, women remain underrepresented in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses. Several studies explore the associations and causes of this gender disparity, including gender stereotypes, social expectations, and the absence of female role models in these fields. This paper presents explanations found in the literature for these gender differences and discusses the importance of reducing these inequalities, as occupations in STEM tend to offer higher prestige and salaries and are crucial for economic growth. Additionally, diverse teams have demonstrated greater efficiency, and including women can drive innovation. Some data on female representation in Brazilian higher education STEM courses reveal that while there is an upward trend, much progress remains to be made. Among other points, the article shows that the scarcity of women in these fields perpetuates a vicious cycle, discouraging new generations from pursuing careers in STEM. Finally, the paper emphasizes the need for further research to deepen the understanding of factors influencing women’s career choices in STEM and the importance of interventions to promote gender equity in these fields, aiming not only at social justice but also at the economic development of the country.